Pillow pouch packaging with reinforcing elements

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a pouch, which is generally flat in shape having two opposite side walls and reinforcing elements. The reinforcing elements enable the pouch to stand up-right.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/088,934, which was filed on Mar. 8, 2002 whichwas the National Stage of International Application NumberPCT/FR00/02461 filed on Sep. 7, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to packaging devices. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a packaging device that containsreinforced elements. The reinforced element enables a flexible packageto stand up-right.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Packaging devices may be classified into two types. One type is arigid packaging device, for example, tins, bottles, canisters, cans,etc. Rigid devices require the same space when the device is full orempty. Moreover, the cost to manufacture these devices, which are oftenmade of steel, glass or aluminum, is relatively high.

[0004] A second type of packaging device is a flexible packaging device,such as a pouch. Flexible pouches are generally constructed of laminatedplastic material. These pouches constitute a simple and cost-effectivepackaging device. Additionally, flexible pouches do not have the samespace requirements when the pouch is full compared to when the pouch isemptied.

[0005] Although flexible pouches are a simple, cost-effective packagingdevice, flexible pouches pose several disadvantages. One suchdisadvantage is that flexible pouches are not able to stand up-right,which complicates storage and presentation of the pouches. Also, oncethe pouch is opened, generally by removing the top of the pouch, theflexibility of the sheets constituting the pouch make it difficult tomanipulate. In particular, it may be difficult to keep the pouch openand to dispense the contents properly. In order to solve this problem,some manufacturers have used gussets to produce self-standing packages.A gusset can be present in the side and/or bottom of the pouch. Thegusset allows the pouch to expand, thus covering a larger surface areaand allowing the pouch to be self-standing. Gusset pouches require anincrease in production time, thus, they are more expensive to producethan flexible pouches. Another disadvantage of pouches is that graphicprinting on the external surface of pouches often requires substantialprinting machine setup time, which increases the unit cost price of thepouches.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to produce a less expensiveself-standing package. The aim of the invention is to make it possibleto produce a flexible pouch, freed from the above disadvantages of knownflexible pouches.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is drawn to a flexible pouch which isgenerally of a flattened shape and has two opposing walls in sheet formextending approximately parallel to a longitudinal median plane of thepouch. The pouch is able to be self-standing by attaching reinforcementelements to the flexible pouch.

[0008] A specific embodiment of the present invention is a self-standingpouch. The pouch includes two opposing walls in sheet form extendingessentially parallel to a longitudinal median plane. The pouch includesat least one reinforced element. The reinforced element enables thepouch to be self-standing.

[0009] Another embodiment is a device for packaging products. The deviceis a single pouch that has two walls associated with two respectivereinforcement elements. The device may contain a second pouch. Thepackaging device having two pouches is arranged such that the walls ofthe pouches are aligned along a direction at least approximatelyperpendicular to the median plane, and the walls of two adjacent pouchesof the unit are fixed together by means such as one or more lines ofadhesive.

[0010] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features andtechnical advantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthe invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages will be better understoodfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are respectively a longitudinal transversecross-section view and a side view of a first embodiment of theinvention;

[0013]FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C are side views of alternativeembodiments of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are two diagrammatic views from the device inFIG. 1A and FIG. 2A, shown in two respective operating positions;

[0015]FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are two diagrammatic views from above ofpackaging devices according to the invention according to two differentembodiments;

[0016]FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C are three longitudinal transversecross-section views of three embodiment variants of the invention, ableto be implemented with any one of the two embodiments shown in FIG. 4Aand FIG. 4B;

[0017]FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are a side view and a perspective view of apackaging device according to the invention including a flexible pouchreinforced by elements having an attractive visual appearance;

[0018]FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C and FIG. 7D are four front views of thedevice in FIGS. 6A and 6B according to an embodiment variant includingreclosure means of the device;

[0019]FIG. 8A is an elevation view of a device according to theinvention having an easy opening means;

[0020]FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C are respectively a diagrammatic representationof the upper part of the device in FIG. 8A, and a view in partialvertical transverse cross-section of this device;

[0021]FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are two views according to two differentperspectives of an embodiment of the invention including two flexiblepouches;

[0022]FIG. 9C is a diagrammatic representation of the upper part of thedevice in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, and

[0023]FIG. 9D and FIG. 9E are respectively a horizontal cross-sectionview and a partial vertical transverse cross-section view of the devicein FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that variousembodiments and modifications can be made to the invention disclosed inthis Application without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

[0025] As used herein, the use of the word “a” or “an” when used inconjunction with the term “comprising” in the sentences and/or thespecification can mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaningof “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.”

[0026] As used herein, the term “vertical direction” is defined ascorresponding to the longitudinal direction of greatest elongation ofdevices.

[0027] As used herein, the term “horizontal plane” is defined as beingthe plane orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0028] Referring to the figures, the pouch (10) is formed from aflexible material, for example, but not limited to polyolefins (oriented& cast polypropylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE), medium densitypolyethylene (MDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE)), polyamide(nylon), polyethylene terephthalate and glycol copolymer, paper, foil,ethylene vinyl alcohol, poly(vinyl chloride), polyvinlidene chloride,acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, cellulose acetate-butyrate, casein,chlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene-ethyl acrylic acid,ethylene-methacrylic acid, ethylene-propylene polymer, ethylene-vinylacetate, linear low-density polyethylene, polyethylene manufacturedusing metallocene catalysts, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate,polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polystryrene, polytetrafluoroethylene,polyurethane, poly(vinyl alcohol), or sytrene-acrylonitrile. Inpreferred embodiments, the material used for the pouch may include, butis not limited to polyolefins (oriented & cast polypropylene, lowdensity polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), highdensity polyethylene (HDPE)), polyamide (nylon), polyethyleneterephthalate and glycol copolymer, foil, ethylene vinyl alcohol,poly(vinyl chloride), or polyvinlidene chloride. It is also envisionedthat these flexible materials can be used in combination as laminationsof two or more materials. All of these materials can be retorted, usingstandard procedures, in order to sterilize the contents of the pouch.Standard retorting processes are well known in the art of pouchmanufacturing. Yet further, the food item may be a solid liquid orsemi-solid food item examples include but are not limited toconfections, baked goods, pet food, fresh food, snack food, etc.

[0029] The pouch may be formed using a processing line configured forthe formation of the pouches from a heat sealable, continuous plasticfilm as is known to one skilled in the art of forming pouches. In atypical pouch forming process known to one skilled in the art, rolls offilm are provided in which the film is fed through a plow in order tofold the sheet of film. The vertical sides of the folded film are sealedas well as the bottom of the pouch if necessary. This process creates acontinuous strip of individual flexible pouches. Quick splicingtechniques can be used to change from one film to another film source.In specific embodiments of the present invention, the film is notprinted with text or graphics. Alternatively, a portion of thecontinuous plastic film can be printed with text and graphics that wouldbe appropriate for any variety of food item and a programmable highspeed printing system that imprints text on the front and/or back ofeach of the pouches in the continuous strip can be used to printspecific text for any single variety or and single pet food product. Inanother embodiment, the processing line can utilize non-printed film inwhich the processing line would include the programmable high speedprinting system for imprinting the text and graphics on the front andback of each of the pouches in the continuous strip as it runs throughthe printing system portion of the line.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1A, a pouch (10) is formed by joining twoflexible sheets (11 and 12) edge to edge to form a pouch. The pouch canbe any flexible pouch, for example, but not limited to a pillow pouch ora flat pouch. Each pouch wall (as shown in the side view of FIG. 11B)contains a top (110), a bottom (120) and coplanar sides (130) edges. Thetop (110) and bottom (120) side edges have transverse seals. The pouchedges are sealed using standard techniques that are well known and usedin the art of packaging. All flexible films can be made heat sealablewith coatings or co-extrusion or naturally sealable (oriented & castpolypropylene or LDPE). In specific embodiments, a horizontal heat seal(not shown) extends along the top edge (110) of the pouch to completethe sealing of the pouch. A nip (150) is provided at the top (110) edgeof the pouch (10). The nips are V-shaped cut-outs extending horizontallyfrom the top (110) edge of the pouch (10). The nips are used to initiatetearing along a horizontal line of weakness (not shown).

[0031] Reinforcement elements (21, 22) as shown in FIG. 1A, are bondedonto the two opposing faces of the pouch (110, 120), one opposite theother. These reinforcement elements are made of a relatively rigidmaterial, but the material has sufficient flexibility for the elementsto be distorted by the hand of a user. In specific embodiments, thereinforcement elements (21, 22) may for example be made of cardboard.Other materials may be used for the reinforcements. Materials that maybe used to form the reinforced elements (21, 22) include, but are notlimited to polyolefins (oriented & cast polypropylene, low densitypolyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high densitypolyethylene (HDPE)), polyamide (nylon), polyethylene terephthalate andglycol copolymer, paper, foil, ethylene vinyl alcohol, poly(vinylchloride), polyvinlidene chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene,cellulose acetate-butyrate, casein, chlorotrifluoroethylene,ethylene-ethyl acrylic acid, ethylene-methacrylic acid,ethylene-propylene polymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate, linear low-densitypolyethylene, polyethylene manufactured using metallocene catalysts,polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polychlorotrifluoroethylene,polystryrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, poly(vinylalcohol), or sytrene-acrylonitrile.

[0032] In specific embodiments, the reinforcement element (21) extendsaround the pouch as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. The reinforcedelements can extend all the way across the pouch (10), and extend beyondit on both sides. Specifically, the reinforcement elements are used toprovide stability to the flexible pouch so that the pouch may stand upright once the the elements have been attached to the pouch. It isenvisioned that one or more reinforcement elements may cover the entireoutside of the pouch (FIG. 2B) or only a portion of the outside of thepouch (FIG. 2A).

[0033] A specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2C, is that thereinforcement element also covers the bottom of the pouch to enable thepouch to be self-standing. The bottom of the reinforced element (23) maybe a gusset bottom. This embodiment is not limited to having a gussetbottom, the bottom (23) may be in any shape that enables the pouch to beself-standing, such as an oval, circular, elliptical, or egg shape.

[0034]FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate a pouch (10) which has been tornopen to provide access to its content. A user places its hand on thereinforcement elements (21, 22) and moves them closer together (shown inFIG. 3A). This movement results in distortion of the reinforcementelements by arching them and separating them into their respectivemedian parts. The two opposing walls (110, 120) of the pouch, which arebonded respectively to the median of the reinforcement elements (21,22), are separated by this action. Thus, the distortion of thereinforcement elements of a torn package results in an open package thatcan reliably be handled to effectively dispense the contained item.

[0035] The reinforcement elements (21, 22) may be bonded to the pouchwalls by a continuous adhesive strip covering all or part of the widthof the pouch wall, or by the application at discrete places or bondingpoints on the pouch walls. For example, bonding points may be depositedin the median area or middle of each pouch wall and/or on the lateraledges of each pouch wall. In every circumstance, it is importantaccording to the invention for at least the median area of each pouchwall to be bonded to the reinforcement element. In specific embodiments,each reinforcement element can be bonded to its associated pouch wall atthe level of the two lateral edges of the pouch, in order to increasethe coherence of the unit and to make it even easier to open the pouch.It is within the skill of one in the art to attach each reinforcementelement (21, 22) to its associated pouch wall by any known means otherthan bonding, for example, the reinforcement elements may be engaged inadjustments of the pouch walls, or the elements may be welded together.Thus, it is envisioned that the bonding of the reinforcement elements tothe pouch walls may be by any mechanical and/or chemical means, forexample, but not limited to heat seal, adhesives, extrusion laminate,ultrasonic seal, static seal, staples, stitches, zip strip, clamps,mesh, or punched.

[0036] It is also possible to provide in the reinforcement elements (21,22) folds, bellows or cuts in order to make possible the manipulationdescribed with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B even in the presence of arelatively rigid base and/or top.

[0037] It is also envisioned that the reinforcement elements, can beused as a graphic surface to display information about the product orpromotional data. In this respect, it will be noted that printing on amaterial such as cardboard requires an appreciably smaller amount ofmachine adjustment time compared with the synthetic films which usuallyconstitute known pouches; it is thus possible, in particular where thereinforcement elements (21, 22) extend all the way up the pouch, not toprint on the pouch wall, but only on the reinforcement elements whichsurround it. It will additionally be noted that it is possible to printon both faces of each reinforcement element (21, 22), which considerablyincreases the graphically usable service of the pouch.

[0038]FIG. 4A shows a diagrammatic view of a pouch (10) surrounded bytwo reinforcement elements (21, 22), which are bonded to it.Specifically, the two reinforcement elements (21, 22) are disconnected,whereas FIG. 4B shows an alternative embodiment in which the ends of thetwo reinforcement elements (21, 22) are joined together. Thus, it ispossible to associate the reinforcement elements (21, 22) with the pouch(10) in the form of two different flexible strips, or else of a singlesleeve surrounding the pouch without discontinuity.

[0039]FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C show three embodiment variants, which arecapable of being implemented with each of the two embodiments shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0040] In FIG. 5A, the lower ends of the reinforcement elements (21, 22)are located underneath the pouch and are joined together by a horizontalbase (23) made of the same material as the reinforcement elements. Thisembodiment variant provides a stable base so that the pouch is able tostand up-right. It will also be noted that covering the pouch surfaceall the way up with the semi-rigid frame formed by the reinforcementelements (21, 22) makes it possible to offer to the hand of the user a“smoother” contact surface than that of the “crude” pouch, which may berequired for some products.

[0041] In FIG. 5B, the reinforcement elements (21, 22) extend all theway up the pouch, but their lower ends are disconnected. This variantcorresponds to the embodiment where the pouch is simply “sandwiched”between two flexible sides (embodiment in FIG. 5A), or surrounded by asheath open at its two ends and the walls of the pouch is are bonded(embodiment in FIG. 5B).

[0042] In FIG. 5C, the two reinforcement elements (21, 22) havedisconnected lower ends but their upper ends are covered by part (24)made from the same material. Thus, according to the invention, it ispossible to completely surround the pouch with an embodiment comprisinga base and a top.

[0043]FIGS. 6A and 6B show a pouch or packaging device according to theinvention, corresponding to the configurations in FIG. 4B, whichillustrates that the lateral ends of the reinforcement elements arejoined together at specific points, and FIG. 5B, which illustrates thatthe lower ends of the reinforcement elements are joined together by abase. In specific embodiments, the reinforcement elements have been cutso as to have a characteristic appearance, for example, a cat head. Eachupper corner of the reinforcement element, which corresponds to a catear, is bonded to the opposite reinforcement element to increase therigidity of the device. Other shapes can be used, for example, but notlimited to a dog, bird, or horse. Thus, it is envisioned that a packagehaving a specific shape appearance is used as a container for thatspecific food item, such as a cat shaped container is used for cat food.

[0044] Yet further, it is possible to incorporate between the base (23)and the pouch (10) an additional element (30). This additional element(30) can be an advertisement or promotional item.

[0045] In embodiments where the reinforcement elements do not completelyenclose the pouch, the user is able to touch the pouch directly and totactilely feel the contained product in the pouch. Thus, depending onthe nature of the product and the required marketing positioning, it ispossible to choose a reinforcement structure which is more open or lessopen to allow more direct contact or less direct access to the product.

[0046]FIGS. 7A to 7D are four views of the pouch in FIGS. 6A and 6B oncethe top of the pouch has been cut.

[0047] In FIG. 7A, it will be seen that a part of the element (21) hasitself been cut out so as to constitute a tab (210). The tab (210) isable to be set upright and folded back over the top of the pouch, whichcan be engaged into a slot (220) of the opposing reinforcement element(22) (FIG. 7B). Engaging tab (210) into slot (220) results in a closingmechanism for the pouch.

[0048]FIG. 7C and FIG. 7D show the embodiments of the pouch once the tabis engaged in the slot. This arrangement makes it possible to re-closethe pouch when only a part of its content has been dispensed.

[0049] It will be noted that the pouch of the present invention may bemade in different sizes. In particular, it is possible to provide largedimensional pouches which are manipulated with both hands so as toseparate the two reinforcement elements and open the pouch. One suchexample, is a large pouch that may be used for dog food.

[0050] An advantage according to the invention is that eachreinforcement element can contain a pre-cut tear line, given thereference L in FIGS. 8A to 8C, at the same height that the reinforcementelements (21, 22) are bonded to the pouch. Thus, the adhesive may bedeposited between each reinforcement element and its associated pouchwall along two continuous lines C as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. Thecontinuous lines C may extend approximately from one lateral edge to theother of their associated pouch wall. Yet further, the continuous linesC may also be parallel to their associated tear line L. It is envisionedthat the tear line L runs along the vertical direction between the twolines of adhesive C. In this case, the pouch is opened by tearing offthe upper part of the reinforcement elements (21, 22) (and possibly thetop connecting these reinforcement elements). According to theinvention, tearing the upper part of the pouch is made easier and morereliable by bonding the pouch walls to the support elements at the sameheight as the tear lines of the reinforcement elements. Indeed, thisarrangement makes it possible to guide the tearing of the pouch by hand,which results in an easy to open device.

[0051] Pouches may include opening means such as a weakening line whichmight be made, for example, by laser beam etching of the pouch sheet soas to reduce its thickness. It will be noted that according to theinvention two notches may be located on the opposing edges of the pouch,at the same height as the weakening lines of the reinforcement elements.Such notches E are shown in FIG. 8B, in which the upper parts of eachreinforcement element (21, 22) have been shown diagrammatically withtheir weakening line L surrounded by their two lines of adhesive C. Thisarrangement makes it possible to remove one stage in the process ofmanufacturing the pouch (such as a stage of etching the pouch walls bylaser beam), allowing the manufacturing cost per pouch to be reduced.

[0052] It should also be noted that the two lines of adhesive Cconstitute a “channel” which frames the desired place for tearing thewalls of the pouch, and thus, plays a part in guiding the tearing of thetwo lines of adhesive by constituting obstacles to the tear lines of thepouch walls.

[0053] The design of the pouch according to the invention may also beadapted in such a way that the tear lines of the reinforcement elementsdefine the path for opening the pouch. For example, it may be possibleto have a rectilinear opening path, a curvilinear opening path, or evena path according to any required design.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 9A to FIG. 9E, shows a packaging devicecontaining two pouches (10, 10′). As shown particularly in FIG. 9C andFIG. 9E, two pouches (10, 10′) are bonded together by two lines ofadhesive C′, which approximately cover the lateral extent of the surfaceon which the two pouches are opposite one another. FIG. 9D and FIG. 9Eshow the longitudinal median plane P of the device where the pouches maybe aligned approximately perpendicular to this plane. The reinforcementelements are, as in the case of the device with a single pouch, arrangedsymmetrically relative to the plane P. It is understood that theembodiment in FIGS. 9A to 9E, which includes two pouches can include anyor all of the embodiments that have been described for a single pouch.Yet further, each pouch may be bonded to a reinforcement element(element 21′ for the pouch 10′, 22′ for the pouch 10) by two lines ofadhesive C. The bonding of the elements are similar to the previousdiscussions of bonding, of which those discussions are herebyincorporated by reference.

[0055] The pouches may be opened simultaneously or sequentially. Toprevent simultaneous opening of the pouches, the lateral edges of thetwo pouches (10, 10′) are not opposite one another, but are offset asshown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9D. Thus, when opening the device, only asingle edge of the pouch is torn at one time. Yet further, it isenvisioned that pouches of different width may also conceivablefacilitate the opening of a single pouch. This embodiment makes itpossible to package in a single device products with differentcharacteristics. It will be possible, for example, to package in onepouch pieces of meat with or without sauce, while the other pouchcontains rice or accompanying vegetables. Thus, the possibility isoffered for providing the consumer with several products, constituting acombination dish, in a same device. Yet further, it may also be possibleto incorporate into the two respective pouches food with differenttastes, different textures, or even two different functions (one pouchbeing able to contain a food such as a complete cooked dish, the otherpouch being able to contain a product such as a medicine). And in a moregeneral way, the two (or more) pouches may contain products or chemicalcompounds to be mixed before use,

[0056] Another advantage is that each product packaged separately in apouch may retain its intrinsic characteristics before the pouch isopened and the respective products, which it contains, are mixedtogether. In this respect, it will be noted that it is also possible tosubject a pouch containing a specific product and having already beenre-closed to different treatments (sterilization, preservationtreatments, etc.), and to join this first pouch to a second pouch nothaving been subjected to the same treatment so as to constitute a devicesuch as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9E. This type of device may also bepractical since it allows different pouches to be opened at differenttimes or the same time. Yet further, this device also has a high degreeof safety, since it allows the manufacturer to incorporate in thedifferent pouches the exact quantities of product which are to be mixedtogether.

[0057] Also, this device is advantageous in terms of presentation sinceit allows the respective products contained in the respective pouches tobe dispensed in the same receptacle. It is thus possible depending toconceive of any number of pouches aligned in series and bonded togetherin by their adjacent walls, preferably at the same height as notches oftheir lateral edges, surrounded by two reinforcement elements alsobonded (or fixed to the pouches by any other known means), thereinforcement elements being able to comprise tear lines. Thereinforcement elements may also in this case not comprise tear lines,the pouches then being able to be equipped with opening means such asweakening lines made by laser etching.

[0058] Although the present invention and its advantages have beendescribed in detail, it should be understood that various changes,substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to belimited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine,manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps describedin the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps,presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantiallythe same function or achieve substantially the same result as thecorresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according tothe present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended toinclude within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-standing pouch comprising two opposingwalls in sheet form extending essentially parallel to a longitudinalmedian plane and at least one reinforcement element, wherein thereinforcement element enables the pouch to be self-standing.
 2. Thepouch of claim 1, wherein each opposing wall comprises a top, bottom andcoplanar side edges.
 3. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch is apillow pouch.
 4. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch is retortedprior to addition of the reinforcement element.
 5. The pouch of claim 1,wherein the reinforcement element wraps around the entire pouch.
 6. Thepouch of claim 5, wherein the reinforcement element further wraps aroundthe bottom of the pouch.
 7. The pouch of claim 1, wherein thereinforcement element contains printed graphics.
 8. The pouch of claim1, further comprising a second reinforcement element.
 9. The pouch ofclaim 8, wherein the first and second reinforcement elements areattached to the two respective pouch walls and extend essentiallyopposite each other across their associated pouch wall.
 10. A device forpackaging products comprising at least one flexible pouch, having twoopposing walls extending essentially parallel to a longitudinal medianplane of the device, two reinforcement elements respectively associatedwith the respective pouch walls, the reinforcement elements extending atleast approximately opposite each other all the way across theirassociated pouch wall, and means for fixing each reinforcement elementto its associated pouch wall at least in a median area of the wall. 11.The device of claim 10, wherein the means for fixing compromises fixingthe reinforcement element and its associated wall in the vicinity of itslateral edges.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein the means for fixingcompromises bonding the reinforcement element to the pouch wall.
 13. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the reinforcement elements and the pouchwalls are bonded together at discrete bonding points.
 14. The device ofclaim 13, wherein the reinforcement elements and the pouch walls arebonded together by at least one continuous adhesive strip depositedbetween each reinforcement element and its associated wall.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, characterized in that at least one continuousadhesive strip extends approximately all the way across the wall. 16.The device of claim 10, wherein the means for fixing compromisesadjustments to the wall.
 17. The device of claim 10, wherein the lateralends of the reinforcement elements are connected so as to surround thelateral edges of the pouch.
 18. The device of claim 10, wherein thelateral ends of the reinforcement elements are not connected.
 19. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the reinforcement elements are connected bya base located under the pouch.
 20. The device of claim 10, wherein thereinforcement elements extend all the way up the pouch.
 21. The deviceof claim 10, wherein the upper ends of the reinforcement elements areconnected by a top covering the pouch.
 22. The device of claim 10,wherein the reinforcement elements include a means to re-cover the topof the pouch once the upper part has been torn.
 23. The device of claim22, wherein the re-covering means includes a tab made from the samematerial as one of the reinforcement elements which engages with a slotof the other reinforcement element.
 24. The device of claim 10, whereinthe reinforcement elements are printed on both their faces.
 25. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein at least one reinforcement element includesa tear line along a desired path for opening the device, extendingopposite the means for fixing the pouch walls and the reinforcementelements so as to guide the user in tearing the pouch walls.
 26. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the pouch comprises a means to weaken itswalls, located at the same level as the tear lines of the reinforcementelements.
 27. The device of claim 26, wherein the weakness points of thepouch walls are provided by notches on its lateral edges.
 28. The deviceof claim 10, wherein distortion of the reinforcement elements isobtained by arching these elements.
 29. The device of claim 10, whereindistortion of the reinforcement elements is obtained by folding theseelements.
 30. The device of claim 10 further comprising a second pouch.